D.C. conservative station shuts down political speech

A Washington, D.C., conservative radio station has refused to sell airtime for a political statement from the writer-actor-singer who performed for years as television’s Buck Howdy – deeming it too “controversial.”

“How sad that we live in a time when a message supporting the Constitution is deemed too controversial,” Grammy-winning musician Steve Vaus, creator of the Buck Howdy character, told WND today.

He has recorded a song that defies those advocating gun confiscation with one of the slogans of the Texas Revolution, “Come and take it.”

Vaus said he had attempted to purchase air time on WMAL News/Talk to play his recording, but was rejected.

An email from General Sales Manager Todd Freundlich, forwarded by Vaus, said, “After reviewing the spot with my program director we have determined that it is too controversial for us to air.”

His email continued, “Sorry that we can’t help you with this but if I can answer any additional questions please let me know.”

It doesn’t appear, however, that the bump in the road will stop Vaus.

“Nothing will stop me from getting this message heard in Washington, D.C. If I have to stand in front of the White House and the Capitol Building with a boom box so be it,” Vaus said.

He had requested the prices and information for a one-minute spot, he said.

A music video also was produced with a special message for Barack Obama and members of Congress.

Though the song itself is more vague, the video leaves no doubt who Vaus is talking to in the lyrics.

“Mr. President, members of Congress,” Vaus says in the opening to the video, “you’ve been making a lot of noise about taking our guns away. But you might want to review history.

“1835. Gonzales, Texas Territory,” Vaus continues. “The authorities wanted to confiscate the big gun that protected that colony. You know what the people said? ‘Come and take it.’ Because they were willing to fight for their freedom and their guns. So are we.”

The video then launches into the pointed chorus: “Come and take it if you want it. Come and take it if you think you can. Come and take it, but we’ll warn you, you’ll have to pry it from our cold, dead hands.”

The lyrics continue, “We want the freedom that God gave us, so you best not cross that line. If you want this gun you gotta to come through us and take it, one shot at a time.”

The slogan, “Come and take it,” became the battle cry and banner of the Texas Revolution after the 1835 Battle of Gonzalez, in which Texians defied the Mexican government’s demand to return a cannon that had been given them for self-defense. Rather than surrender the cannon to Mexican dragoons, Texians stormed the Mexican camp and drove the soldiers away.

As Vaus’ song sings, “You just don’t mess with Texas, especially when it comes to guns.”

Vaus’ song proves particularly timely, as President Obama recently announced 23 new “executive actions” aimed at restricting gun use and availability in the U.S. and called for Congress to pass further gun-control legislation.

Several states are mulling ways to counter the president’s agenda, and many individuals fear the president is putting the U.S. on a path toward confiscating guns.

Vaus’ song, however, warns that gun ownership is a God-given right and violators of that right had best beware.

Steve Vaus has performed, produced and recorded with Billy Ray Cyrus, the Jonas Brothers, Willie Nelson, Kenny Loggins, Leann Rimes, Randy Travis and Kenny Rogers; he’s a four-time Grammy nominee (with a win in 2010) and has performed with the Billy Graham Crusades, at the Grand Ole Opry and at the White House.

A previous song by Vaus, “We Must Take America Back,” drew massive attention when it was released in the 1990s.

“There’s an unspoken fear, We’re on our way down,” he penned. “We must take America back, Main Street to Wall Street, cities and states. Washington, D.C., before it’s too late:”

Last year, Vaus stirred controversy with his satirical look at the government’s decision to impose invasive body-scans and full-body patdowns on airline travelers. Millions have viewed his work online.

The song was a parody of “Help Me Make It Through the Night”:

Vaus also, in the period after 9/11, created “There Is an Eagle,” which zoomed to the top of the country charts.